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(No Model.)

s. P. BABGOGK.

FENCE POST.

No. 500,183; Patented June 27, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

SYLVESTER P. BABCOCK, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE ECONOMIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LIMITED, OF SAME PLACE.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,183, dated June 27, 1893.

Application filed March 6 1891. Serial No. 384,052. (No model.)

have invented a new and useful Fence-Post,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-posts in which a cast iron anchor and anchor plate, is used in conjunction with a IO sheet metal top; and the objects of my improvement are, first, to secure a durable anchor to withstand the corroding elements of the ground; second, to use such kind of metal, and shape, to secure the greatest strength and durability, with the least Weight and cost;

and third, to shape all the parts, that in the handling and transportation they may be put in compact and handy packages occupying small space, guarding against breakage, and

obtaining greater facility in handling. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a detailed view in perspective of the entire post with hanging anchor plate attached. Fig. 2 isa partial side view in perspective of the hanging anchonplate.

The metal top A is made of sheet iron or common sheet steel, about three thirty-seconds of an inch thick fora common size post,

and a few inches longer than the height of fencing to be used thereon. This top is cut with a gradual taper the entire length, and for an ordinary post, may be about two inches Wide at the top end, and about seven inches 5 wide at the bottom end where it is joined to the cast iron anchor B. Itis bent the entire length in the form of a right angle, or nearly so, with a set of holes punched along the center of the angle through which the fencing is The anchor part B is made of cast iron about one-fourth inch thick throughout for a common post, and alsoin the form of a right angle or nearly so, and diminishing with a taper from its connection with A to the bottom, and terminates in an arrow point D. For a common or line post the anchor part should be twenty five to thirty inches 1on (In the upper end of the outer edges or legs of the anchor B are two flanges C. C. beginning'at the junction of A and B, extending laterally on a line across the face or opening of the angle, each, one or more inches in breadth, and continued down the edges six or eight inches or any desired distance toward the arrow point or bottom of the anchor. The barbs of the arrow point D stand laterally on a line with flanges C. C.

When the anchor part B is cast, the bottom or large end of part A is inserted an inch or so within the large end of the mold of B. Several holes are made in the bottom end of A and these holes are included in the mold of B, which permit the molten iron to pass through and through when casting, thus securing an almost homogeneous, and very rigid connection of A and B.

In using as a line post, the opening of the angle is set facing away from the run of fence, the flanges C, C, standing laterally with the fencing, and these flanges give additional surface bearing of the post to resist cross strain on the fencing at a point where most needed, or near the top of the ground. When the post is set in the manner mentioned, nearly all the metal in the entire 'post is on a cross section to the run of fencing; consequently great strength is obtained with a comparative light post.

Cast iron will not corrode as fast as sheet iron or steel; hence for the anchor part it is preferable. For the upper part of the post, strength and lightness are the main desideratum; hence sheet metal is used.

The form, the material, and manner of combining the two parts A and B are very essential to secure the objects sought. Common wrought angles whether of one or more angles do not economize in metal as a taper out angle does nor is the strength so well placed for effective results in a fence post. The reverse taper of the cast iron angle anchor B is alike valuable, for the same amount of metal in other form could hardly secure the same strength and adaptability for the purpose required.

The simple angle shape of the entire post is important and valuable for handling and transportation. There being no parts extending to a depth of much over half-inch in a line with the contact surfaces in packing, they can be packed closely within each other and readily bound together in strong bundles. The barbs of the arrow point D, standing on a line with the flanges C, 0, do not hinder in packing but are Well arranged for this purpose.

The hanging anchor plate E consists of a small, thin, semicircle plate of cast iron, from six to ten inches long on the straight side, with two east hooks z, i, rising therefrom at a height of two or three inches equi-distant from each corner, and far enough apart to hang on each side of the arrow barbs, as shown in' Fig. 1. additional anchorage to the post. It may be hung on either side of the post point, front or back, and may be attached after the post is lowered in the hole, and placed on the side where there is most room. This quality is of This hanging anchor plate givesplate, simply by placing them over the barbs of the point D and these may be the cheapest to use. In some places and under some conditions an extra anchorage is not needed, then the arrow shaped point admits of driving, and facilitates the setting of the posts.

I am aware that prior to my invention, fenceposts have been made with angle anchors having wrought metal tops such as gas-pipe and straight angle irons, also made of double taper, also with single taper and flanges the entire length. I therefore do not claim such combination broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination in a fence post of a tapered sheet metal angle top A, the tapered cast iron angle anchor B, flanges C, (J, arrow point D, with the hanging anchor plate E, as and for the purpose specified.

SYLVESTER P. BABCOCK.

Witnesses:

A. L. BLIss, JosIE SMITH. 

